Today when I woke up I realized I hadn't really eaten since I left for the airport in Anchorage, AK. I had a few wontons (thanks mom) and a sleeve of Ritz crackers that I had brought from my sisters house. Last night I ate the wontons and today I ate the crackers. Well this afternoon I thought to myself damn I better go buy some food so I can eat. I googlemap the closest grocery store and it said like .3 of a mile. It was probably one of those little stores that over price because of convenience. So I grabbed my coat and headed out only to struggle due to not knowing the roads around me. The directions said walk towards such-in-such street, but I don't know which way that is. I just decided I would pick a direction and head on in hopes I would find a store. Well, I got a little frustrated so I was going to go back to the house and write the directions down (I was using my phone for directions). Well I thought I was just walking on the street be hide the house, but I wasn't. I kept walking until I hit a bigger street and I saw a guy carrying a Safeway bag. So surely he just got those so I kept walking. I got to another intersection and so I opted to go right. Then I came to another one that was called Market St. and thought what the hell surely there is a market on Market St. Well, there wasn't. I ended up walking to basically where my school is. Now while walking around in the store I tried to keep in mind whatever I bought I had to carry at least 2 miles maybe more. Plus I was trying to shop on a budget. I ended up buying 4 cans of soup, box of cereal, gallon of milk, popcorn, loaf of bread, jar of peanut butter and 5 bags of steamed veggies. My basket didn't seem too heavy and I asked the girl at the counter to double bag since I was walking. At first it was fine, but then I was thinking who in there right mind buys a gallon of milk and can goods when they have to carry it a few miles. Me that's who!! Luckily the walk back was mostly down hill. I made it back in pretty good time actually I was very surprised. I did try to hurry though because it was getting pretty dark when I left the store and one of the roads I walked on was back alley type. I just thought if someone tried to mess with me they would have a gallon of milk and can goods swinging at their face. I took my milk and veggies upstairs to put in the fridge and freezer so hopefully none of these boys will eat it. I thought about it, these are young single guys, they are probably not going to want to drink skim milk or eat steamed veggies. I still haven't met Ryan so I am not sure if I can use his dishes. I have never rented a room someone like this before, I don't know all the rules. So I ate peanut butter tonight!!! YUM!!! I decided to wear my pedometer (thank you aunt Dolly) just to see how far I walked today and when I got home I checked it, I did 7,989 steps and walked 6.2 miles. GO ME!!!! Not too bad. At least I know I will be getting my exercise.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
A place to live...
The school does not have housing, so basically you are on your own for that. They do have a few apartments that will offer a discount if you are student, or they will help pair you up with someone so the two of you can get an apartment. Well I actually looked into all of this while in Alaska so I knew I would have a place to stay when I got here. The apartments just do half the deposit. Some help but not really. So I got on craigslist and started looking to renting a room. I have a few friends that found places to live that way and were very successful. So I thought I would give it a try. I searched for awhile but everything was outside the city and was still going to pricey. Most people were asking for $625-$750 for just a room and they were not even downtown. My school is downtown so I was trying to get as close as possible for transportation purposes. I contacted a few places and talked to a few people. Nothing was really looking that great because it was all too far out and I would be on the bus for 45 mins in most cases. I was getting on craigslist a few times a day looking for places to live and jobs. Then on November 29th I came across a room to rent that was not too far from the school and was only $525. So emailed the person and later that afternoon he emailed me back. We sent a few emails back and forth for a few days then we chatted on the phone. Needless to say I got the room!!! YAY!! He had converted the garage into bedroom, painted walls, carpet, and heater that looks like a fireplace. He had told me it was just a room, but he was looking into getting a bed for the room. I was just planning on buying an air mattress when I got here. A few days before I left Ryan (who I am renting the room from) texts me and said he got a bed and was going to go buy some sheets for it. When I got to Portland yesterday I went to my orientation in the morning then I came to the house. Unfortunately Ryan wasn't here but he left me a key under the mat. So I walked in and my room was right there. I walked in and he wasn't kidding it is a big room. A single car wide but pretty long. My cousin and I brought my stuff in and besides the door we came in and of course the huge garage door there are 4 other doors in here. So I had to open them so I would know what was going on. The first door was a huge closet, the next door which is right across from the closet looks like an elevator, then the next door was another closet just a little smaller. Then there was a 4th door that is close to the bed. It was locked so I unlocked it and reached in and turned on the light, there was a bed and clothes all over the room so I quickly turned the light off and closed the door. My cousin and I just looked at each other. I was not aware that there was going to be someone down here with me. Oh well. My cousin made sure I was ok and he left. I had plans to go get some coffee with a friend I had made but plans fell through which was fine because I was exhausted. I laid on this amazingly comfy bed fully clothed and I past out, it was only 115 PM. While I was asleep Ryan text me to make sure I got in ok and if I needed anything. I told him no and went back to sleep. I didn't wake up again until 10 PM!!! By this point I really had to pee but I didn't want to go upstairs because I didn't know where the bathroom was first of all and secondly I had not met anyone else who lives here. So I ended up going out with my friend and she took me a gas station so I could pee.
Today when I woke up I was still a little shy to go upstairs but I was in a serious need of a shower and I had to pee again. After fighting it for awhile I finally grabbed my shower stuff and headed up. The second level has the kitchen, living room, and bathroom. It was only a half bath though. I had to go to the 3rd level to use the full bathroom. I went up those stairs and one of the doors were open with the light on so I peeked in and finally met one of my new roomies!!! He seemed very nice and I asked him who all lived here and he told me Ryan, himself, this guy named Jay (I think) and sometime this guy named Travis lives in the storage room, which is the room be hide that door I peeked into yesterday. Thank goodness Travis wasn't there when I did that. So I live with 4 guys and you can tell all of us have to share the bathroom with the only shower in the house. That is all I am saying about that. Oh the stories I will have from living here I am sure.
Today when I woke up I was still a little shy to go upstairs but I was in a serious need of a shower and I had to pee again. After fighting it for awhile I finally grabbed my shower stuff and headed up. The second level has the kitchen, living room, and bathroom. It was only a half bath though. I had to go to the 3rd level to use the full bathroom. I went up those stairs and one of the doors were open with the light on so I peeked in and finally met one of my new roomies!!! He seemed very nice and I asked him who all lived here and he told me Ryan, himself, this guy named Jay (I think) and sometime this guy named Travis lives in the storage room, which is the room be hide that door I peeked into yesterday. Thank goodness Travis wasn't there when I did that. So I live with 4 guys and you can tell all of us have to share the bathroom with the only shower in the house. That is all I am saying about that. Oh the stories I will have from living here I am sure.
The Flight..part 2
We finally got to load the plane for the last leg of my trip. Again we had to go outside to load. i tried putting one of my bags in the overhead compartment and again it did not fit and this time there was someone next to me. When my friendly neighbor got to the seat he offered to take my bag to the front so they could put it under the plane. So that was cool and very nice. This plane was so tiny it was actually a shuttle. I took my coat and curled it up and tried to sleep the 35 mins to Portland from Seattle. What is crazy a flight from Anchorage to Portland is only 3 hrs and 25 mins. I on the other hand took like 9 hours to get there. ITS CRAZY!!!! I actually slept all the way til we landed. Actually the landing is what woke me up and I am sure I was snoring. We landed about 10 mins late which was fine because my cousin that was picking me up said we weren't too far from the school. I went and got my luggage and thank you mom and dad for buying red because I knew which ones were mine right away and they came out first!!!! That has never happened to me before. I went outside and my cousin was there and he loaded my luggage and took me to the school.
I went into the school and it was amazing. I got a tour and there are 7 huge kitchens. I am really excited about starting. I got my uniforms and will start getting my books and tools the first week. Which is kind of going to suck because I have decided to walk to and from school due to the extremely high price for public transportation. As a student I would get a discount which is $200 for 3 months. When I check the transit directly it is $88 a month. They still have a fare free zone but back in September they made it a lot smaller and I right on the edge of that line. I will be calling the transit center to see if I could just pick it up somewhere else where it would be free. If not, then this chica will be walking to and from school. At least it will be good exercise. The school is about 2 miles away. Not too bad of a walk.
I went into the school and it was amazing. I got a tour and there are 7 huge kitchens. I am really excited about starting. I got my uniforms and will start getting my books and tools the first week. Which is kind of going to suck because I have decided to walk to and from school due to the extremely high price for public transportation. As a student I would get a discount which is $200 for 3 months. When I check the transit directly it is $88 a month. They still have a fare free zone but back in September they made it a lot smaller and I right on the edge of that line. I will be calling the transit center to see if I could just pick it up somewhere else where it would be free. If not, then this chica will be walking to and from school. At least it will be good exercise. The school is about 2 miles away. Not too bad of a walk.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
The Flight....
My parents came to Alaska to visit for the holidays. Sadly I had to leave while they were in town. Tonight before I had to go to the airport we goofed around and took some fun family pictures.
Then it was time to go and I had to say my goodbyes to my sis, brother, and nephew.
That was really hard. I knew I was going to miss them but I cried like Joey when he is having a bad day. I was really sad leaving them. That awesome family unit has been my rock the past 5 months and I am very grateful to them for all they did. I love you guys!!
My parents took me to the airport and helped me carry my bags up to check-in. Of course we had to get some pictures too.
It was an emotional time this evening.
I went to my gate we had to load from the outside and we loaded from the rear, which I have never done before. I finally got to my seat with my 2 carry on's, which were extremely full and heavy. I struggled getting either one up in the storage compartment. Luckily the seat in the middle was empty so I put one bag under the chair in front of the middle seat and the other under the chair in front of me. The flight was good. We did have some turbulence. I just listened to my ipod and tried to sleep. I think I finally sleep a little about 1 hour before we landed. Oh well. Now I am sitting at the airport in Seattle waiting on my next flight which does not depart until 6 something this morning. I arrived here at 1:30AM. I have just been relaxing and playing online. I was going to try to sleep but there are some creepy people here this late at night haha!! We should be starting to load the plane within the next hour. Luckily the next flight is only about 35 mins. Then after the airport I am heading to Orientation. I have to be there by 9 AM so I hope the flight is on time and runs smooth. Well until then....
My parents took me to the airport and helped me carry my bags up to check-in. Of course we had to get some pictures too.
I went to my gate we had to load from the outside and we loaded from the rear, which I have never done before. I finally got to my seat with my 2 carry on's, which were extremely full and heavy. I struggled getting either one up in the storage compartment. Luckily the seat in the middle was empty so I put one bag under the chair in front of the middle seat and the other under the chair in front of me. The flight was good. We did have some turbulence. I just listened to my ipod and tried to sleep. I think I finally sleep a little about 1 hour before we landed. Oh well. Now I am sitting at the airport in Seattle waiting on my next flight which does not depart until 6 something this morning. I arrived here at 1:30AM. I have just been relaxing and playing online. I was going to try to sleep but there are some creepy people here this late at night haha!! We should be starting to load the plane within the next hour. Luckily the next flight is only about 35 mins. Then after the airport I am heading to Orientation. I have to be there by 9 AM so I hope the flight is on time and runs smooth. Well until then....
The back story...
Today I am going to be boarding a plane to move to Portland OR. I was accepted into Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute under the Baking and Pastry Art Program. I have decided on a new path at this point in my life, this is a huge step for me. I am doing this alone, by my choice. I have spent the past few months living in Alaska with my sis, brother in law and nephew trying to "figure" my life out. I am trying to start over from scratch and build myself back up. I wanted to document this process especially for all the changes that I am about to go through. This blog is going to be about my life, while attending Culinary school, living in Portland, and working.
Part of my "figuring" out process was finding a school I wanted to attend. First school I found was actually in NY CITY!!!! I applied and was accepted. Then one morning I woke up and it hit me, what if I do go to school in NY? I will be alone, have to find a place to live, have to pay for transportation, and find a job. The thought of living in NY was really awesome and it would have been a little closer to my parents. After a long talk with my sister I came to the conclusion that this just would not be a good idea. One of the things she pointed out to me was my love for Portland and she asked why I didn't just go to one there. So that day I got online and found Le Cordon Bleu and I applied. After talking to a really awesome advisor I was super stoked. Going back and forth getting him all the information he needed, multiple trips to fax machine and many phone calls, I was accepted. Then I got to talk to a Super helpful Financial Aid advisor and we worked it out where I can get 2 loans, financial aid and I only have to pay (while in school) $53 a month. He also sent me a link to get some scholarships. So I got on that day and went searching. The school has a scholarship called Market Basket. First you have a write an essay 75 words or less on why you want to be a culinary professional. The last day to submit the essay was Dec. 3rd. I was struggling writing this essay because it had to be so short. That day it was due I jumped on my computer and just wrote it and submitted it. Then on Dec. 8th I received a phone calling saying I was one of the top 10 finalist for the essay's!!!! I flipped, I was at work when I got the call and I was so happy I couldn't believe it!!! I wrote something that was beat out others. I called my sister and then my parents and when I got home I posted it on facebook. Then came the not so good news. I had to be in Portland by that following Saturday morning (Dec. 11, 2010) to complete the second part of the scholarship. The second part consisted of a market basket full of baking supplies and you wouldn't know what you had until that morning, right when it started and you would have 2 hours to bake something absolutely amazing. Then you would be judged on how it taste, the presentation and the safety and cleanliness while baking. Well, I looked up plane tickets to go for the weekend and/or the day and oh my gosh they were well over $1000.00. Needless to say I had to call and decline my participation. It was still an honor to have at least gotten that far.
Now here it is Dec. 28th and I am getting on that plane to head to Portland. I have an orientation on the 29th. That is where I will get to meet my advisor, get my chef uniforms (so excited), meet fellow students and the facility.
Part of my "figuring" out process was finding a school I wanted to attend. First school I found was actually in NY CITY!!!! I applied and was accepted. Then one morning I woke up and it hit me, what if I do go to school in NY? I will be alone, have to find a place to live, have to pay for transportation, and find a job. The thought of living in NY was really awesome and it would have been a little closer to my parents. After a long talk with my sister I came to the conclusion that this just would not be a good idea. One of the things she pointed out to me was my love for Portland and she asked why I didn't just go to one there. So that day I got online and found Le Cordon Bleu and I applied. After talking to a really awesome advisor I was super stoked. Going back and forth getting him all the information he needed, multiple trips to fax machine and many phone calls, I was accepted. Then I got to talk to a Super helpful Financial Aid advisor and we worked it out where I can get 2 loans, financial aid and I only have to pay (while in school) $53 a month. He also sent me a link to get some scholarships. So I got on that day and went searching. The school has a scholarship called Market Basket. First you have a write an essay 75 words or less on why you want to be a culinary professional. The last day to submit the essay was Dec. 3rd. I was struggling writing this essay because it had to be so short. That day it was due I jumped on my computer and just wrote it and submitted it. Then on Dec. 8th I received a phone calling saying I was one of the top 10 finalist for the essay's!!!! I flipped, I was at work when I got the call and I was so happy I couldn't believe it!!! I wrote something that was beat out others. I called my sister and then my parents and when I got home I posted it on facebook. Then came the not so good news. I had to be in Portland by that following Saturday morning (Dec. 11, 2010) to complete the second part of the scholarship. The second part consisted of a market basket full of baking supplies and you wouldn't know what you had until that morning, right when it started and you would have 2 hours to bake something absolutely amazing. Then you would be judged on how it taste, the presentation and the safety and cleanliness while baking. Well, I looked up plane tickets to go for the weekend and/or the day and oh my gosh they were well over $1000.00. Needless to say I had to call and decline my participation. It was still an honor to have at least gotten that far.
Now here it is Dec. 28th and I am getting on that plane to head to Portland. I have an orientation on the 29th. That is where I will get to meet my advisor, get my chef uniforms (so excited), meet fellow students and the facility.
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